(ET) Report: Using a Homelite chainsaw on an E20

[Christopher Zach <czach computer org>]

Well, I just spent the past month cutting apart a tree with a 10 inch 
Homelite battery powered chainsaw. True to form I bought the saw on Ebay 
for $15, junked the battery, and put an Anderson connector to a 14 gauge 
extension cord, the other end of which was attached to the back 4 
batteries on my E20 with a 60 amp fuse. Yes, I am running a 18 volt 
chainsaw with 24 volts. Not a big deal.

Overall it works very well. The chain velocity is somewhat slow, and the 
best way to cut is to use moderate pressure and just wait for the saw to 
chew thru the log. I have gone for over an hour non-stop without frying 
the little motor, so it does hold up. It's nowhere near as fast as the 
14 inch 110 volt one, but it doesn't need to have a 80lb 
inverter+battery pack dragged around either :-)

It's also whisper-quiet because the chain is slower. I am amazed at the 
low level of noise, great for not waking the neighbors.

I wonder how the Elec-Trak chainsaw would compare. This one is very 
light (nice), uses a light cord (nice) but does take awhile to cut thru 
a 14 inch log. Overall a win if you're looking to do some moderate class 
cutting way out in the woods.

Chris